It is said that a different free agent pitcher has left the market.
Since the 2023 season concluded, the New York Mets have been connected to a variety of free agents. Despite still having the most money of any team, New York and its owner, Steve Cohen, haven’t made much of an impression this offseason.
Although New York is in a better position, the club has improved without resorting to costly, showy moves. The Mets have prioritized players with potential on less expensive contracts. One player who surfaced as a potential choice but isn’t available right now is two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff.
Following shoulder surgery, Woodruff was non-tendered by the Milwaukee Brewers earlier in the offseason, and he will miss the 2024 campaign. The right-hander was hoping to sign a cheap contract due to his injury, but when healthy, he has tremendous upside, so the Mets seemed to have him as a perfect fit.
Despite this, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that he will be re-signing with the Brewers and that New York missed out on him.
“Breaking: Brandon Woodruff back to Brewers,” Heyman said. “(Two-year) deal.”
For the Mets, landing Woodruff could have been very beneficial. In any case, the Mets are more likely to contend in 2025 even though he won’t pitch in 2024. If Woodruff had been fully healthy, the Mets could have acquired an elite pitcher at a reduced cost.
Throughout his seven major league seasons, Woodruff’s ERA has been 3.10, and in the past three seasons, he has recorded ERAs under 3.00.